Lewis (Lajos) Frank Szanyi

SZANYI, LEWIS (LAJOS) FRANK, …
Our hearts are sad to share the news of our father’s passing on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the age of 78. Lewis (Lajos) was the father of five children; Sheila (Jon), Lewis Jr., Joe (Cathy), Rick (Sherry), Liz (Larry) and Grandfather to 8 Grandchildren; Shannon, Anna (deceased), Derek, Willy, Telsi, Nicole, Sydney and Shawn and Step Grandfather to Dan (Amanda) and Robin (Kevin). He was predeceased by three siblings; Maria, Josef and Elizabeth. Many nieces and nephews will miss “Uncle Lou”.

Special thanks to the Dearness Home staff on the 4th floor Pine Grove West for their personal care and support.

Visitation will be held Friday July 21, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at A. Millard George Funeral Home on 60 Ridout Street South, London, ON N6C 3X1.  A funeral service for Lewis will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Private family interment to follow

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, 1401 Ernest Avenue, London, ON N6E 2P6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Ode to Papa Lew

July 25 1938 – July 15 2017

Born in 1938, Budapest Hungary, Dad shared a life of post war poverty and hardship with his parents Maria and Josef, siblings Josef (Jr), Elizabeth and half-sister Maria. As a young man, he trained as a butcher and a cabinet maker, before joining close friends to escape communist Hungary in 1956.

As a young man, he endured a time when Hungarians were frustrated and humiliated by an authoritarian regime. Economic mismanagement by the communist party played out in shortages and rationing of basic food sources, and severe employment limitations that diminished disposable income and quality of life. By November 1956, influenced by student protests, thousands of Hungarians had fled Budapest by foot or bicycle, choosing perilous routes to avoid capture and imprisonment.

Meeting over regular poker games, Dad and his friends revelled in lively debates about seeking asylum with the more than 60,000 refugees previously welcomed by Austria.

Eventually, a loose plan was devised and he departed with his close friend Charles by bicycle. Their hope was take a train from one of the western cities, to a station close to the Austrian border. Travelling across the countryside they met others along the way, also in pursuit of the Austrian border.

Not long into their journey, they accepted a ride, storing their bikes on the back of a truck. However, their luck ran out just before reaching Sárvár. The truck was stopped and they were captured by Russian and Hungarian soldiers, forcing them at gun point to lay in a ditch facing a field. With machine guns pointed at their backs, the militia escorted them to a police station in Sárvár. They were young men, 18 years of age, far from home and family, lacking adequate economic resources with no idea what was to come next. However, luck revisited when they were released later that evening. Fearing for their lives, they considered returning to Budapest the next morning.

Later that evening, they met a man who encouraged them to continue their escape, providing them with information about the train they needed. Following a good night’s sleep in Sárvár, they set out on their bicycles once again the next morning. Later that day, they met a farmer in a field who took them in and fed them. Leaving their bikes with the farmer, he transported them to the train where they met up with others from the police station. They remained with these people, travelling with them for the rest of their journey. 

During the last leg, what was left of their money went to Gypsies who helped them find their way closer to the border. From Austria, they continued by train to Germany and Belgium, where they were brought by boat to England. Just outside of London, they stayed in a refugee camp until they could obtain passage to Ireland.

Through the efforts of the Red Cross, they were dispersed to Canada, where they were documented and asked to choose a settlement destination. Starting in Montreal, Dad went onto Seaforth, where by chance he met our Mother Ruby at a local dance. Eventually he joined her in Stratford where they married in 1962. Over the next eight years, he celebrated the births of his five cherished children, who were born in various cities as our family moved to Kitchener, London, Denfield, and Huron Park. Our last move in 1970, was back to London, where he purchased his first home on Harding Crescent.

He was a hard worker who took great pride in his work, passing on a strong work ethic to all of his children.  As a talented drywall finisher, he was sought by top builders to finish the drywall of many expensive homes in London, Belmont and surrounding areas. Divorced in 1979, Dad never remarried, remaining in our family home for 42 years. Suffering from a massive stroke in 1996, his strength to survive was tested once again, retiring him at age 57. Although he never worked again, he successfully regained functional use of his left arm, going on to drive, shop and cook for himself for many years.

Dad loved his children first and life second. Passionate about music, he collected many heritage musical instruments over the years.  He loved to garden, cook, and entertain – often sharing a laugh from his large repertoire of jokes, which for the most part were somewhat off-colour. He made friends everywhere he went, investing largely in model airplanes, hunting, fly and ice fishing, snowmobiling and wine-making with those friends closest to him. All of his closest friends became the family he had left behind. Then, there were the hockey games with his boys and grandsons on the ice, regular Friday night London Knights games, and his lifelong support of the Montreal Canadiens – a true die-hard Habs fan to the end. As long-time member of the London Cycling Club, he later became known as an endearing fan and steadfast volunteer who manned the gate for many years at the London Velodrome.

Being a Hungarian, however poor and miserable the memory may have been at times, was important to Dad. He recounted his memories as a boy fondly, regardless of any hardship associated with the turn of events. Loyal to the end, he never lost sight of his heritage, welcoming the opportunity to return and revisit his birthplace later in life. As a proud Canadian of Hungarian descent, he spoke with great pride of his country of origin, retaining the ability to speak Hungarian right up until the end of his life.

At the age of 78, with one of his treasured sons by his side, he left us on the morning of July 15^th, 2017, to rest peacefully at last. He will be forever remembered by all of his children, grandchildren, friends, extended family members, and the community at large, as a kind and generous man who was loyal,  loving and proud. We love you Pops!!!! Salute! and ciao, until we see you again.